Fighting chair for boating big gamefish that is energy efficient and ergometric

ABSTRACT

A fighting chair for boating big gamefish that is energy efficient and ergometric. The major advantages of the Energy Efficient Fighting Chair over prior fighting chairs is: 1 It allows better use of all major muscle groups in fighting a fish, especially the strongest muscle group, the leg muscles. 
     2 the design allows a significantly greater amount of line to be recovered per stroke of the rod. 
     3 The gimbaled rod butt pivot, rest, is highly adjustable and can have more than one pivot and gimbal installed so the rod position can be adjusted to accommodate differences in where the fish is positioned, the geometry of the rod and angler&#39;s physiology.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/757,061, filed on Jan. 06, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of sportfishing and more specifically to a fighting chair for boating big gamefish that is energy efficient and ergometric. Fighting chairs have been used as an aid in landing large game fish since the beginning of the sport in the 1920s. Functionally the equipment in use currently has changed little since the first rods and reels and chairs were developed. The large chairs are bolted to the deck on a pivot pipe that allows the chair to rotate so the angler can face the fish. Normally the butt of the rod is in a pivoting gimbal and the rod is held by a handle above the reel. A harness that goes around the buttocks or shoulders of the angler is often attached to the reel. The line is brought in by pulling the rod toward the angler. When the top of the stroke is reached the rod is lowered and the line recovered on the reel. There is a seat in which the angler sits and a pivoting gimbal attached to the seat in which to rest the rod butt. There often is a footrest that the angler can brace against and allow limited use of the legs to bring in the line on the rod. Often the angler will use a harness around and under the hips. Sometime soapy water is applied between the seat and harness to allow the angler to slide somewhat in the seat. The major forces used to move the rod are the arm and back muscles and to a limited degree, the leg muscles. It is very strenuous using a conventional chair and the sport has the highest mortality rate of any due to the strain and exhaustion causing heart attacks.

A number of chairs are currently offered by various manufacturers which are normally fixed mounted to the deck of a boat

Major deficiencies in current chairs are the following. They allow limited use of the strongest muscles in the body, the leg muscles and instead rely on the arms and back.

The gimbal in which the rod butt rests is attached to the seat and has limited or no adjustment. Because of the location on the seat, travel of the rod tip is limited to about the vertical position. There is little or no adjustment on the gimbal to allow for variations in tackle geometries, angler physiologies and the direction the fish goes. The larger chairs are bolted to the deck and can not easily be removed or transported. The practice of soaping under the chair is dangerous since if it spills to the deck the deck becomes very slippery.

PRIOR ART U.S. Patents

U.S. Pat. No. 1,406,571

U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,910

U.S. Pat. No. 3,851,916

U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,289—Fishing chair

U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,686—Sportfishing fighting chair

U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,438—Fighting chair and rod holder

U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,567—Fishing chair

U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,896—Lawn chair fish fighter

U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,375—Rod extension and method of using the extension in deep-sea fishing

U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,540—Striking rod holder

U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,102—Fishing boat chair and bracket therein

U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,161—Fish fighting apparatus

U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,257—Fishing rod support

U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,017—Stowable fish fighting chair

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,564—Game fish landing seat assembly

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,652—Fish fighting apparatus

U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,929—Sliding insert for a fishing chair

U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,614—Fishing pole harness/chair support apparatus

U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,146—Fishing pole harness

20,020,166,280—Application Holder for a fishing rod

Publications

Conventional fighting chair, http://murrayproducts.com/aindex.htm

International Game Fish Association, http://www.igfa.org/

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention of An Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair for Landing Large Game Fish allows an angler to better utilize most of the major muscle groups in the body to efficiently tire and bring a large fish to the boat after hooking it.

Another object of the invention is The Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair allows for wide range adjustment of the gimbals that hold the butt end of the fishing rod to allow for variations in fishing rod length and shape, variations in angler physiology and for the direction the fish is pulling on the fishing line.

Another object of the invention is the design of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair allows for adjustment of gimbal position while the angler is fighting a fish.

A further object of the invention is the design of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair allows for gimbals adjusted for more than one fishing rod to be mounted simultaneously on the chair.

Yet another object of the invention is the design of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair allows for easy disconnection or connection of the chair from the deck mount and compact storage and transport.

An alternative object of the invention is a portable, folding version of the fighting chair that may be transported in conventional luggage on normal air or ground transport.

Still yet another object of the invention is The Energy Efficient; Ergometric Fighting Chair allows the tip of the fishing rod to be swept through a much higher total angle during a line recovery to allow a much greater length of line to be recovered per stroke. A larger line recovery per stroke means a fish can be brought to the boat very quickly with low loss of energy both by the angler and fish. When practicing catch and release fishing this ability to bring the fish to the boat rapidly would result in lower mortality rate to the fish. The major cause of mortality of the fish and anglers in this type of fishing is exhaustion. Proper use of the chair will minimize exhaustion and mortality or injury to both.

Another object of the invention is the design of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair allows the chair to pivot about a point and follow the direction the fish is traveling.

A further object of the invention is The pivot may be located either near the center of the chair to minimize deck area utilized or at the tail of the chair so the angler is moved near the edge of the boat where the fish has moved to.

Yet another object of the invention is The pivots may be installed simply and rapidly at either location and be friction attached to the deck or go in permanent deck sockets. Mounts are interchangeable.

Still yet another object of the invention is the chair is easily demountable and folds for efficient storage.

A somewhat more intangible object of the invention is that the chair allows elderly and partially disabled anglers the opportunity to practice the sport of big game fishing. This is because the chair allows more efficient utilization of every major muscle group in the body to land the fish.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a fighting chair for boating big gamefish that is energy efficient and ergometric. The major advantages of the Energy Efficient Fighting Chair over prior fighting chairs is, 1 It allows better use of all major muscle groups in fighting a fish, especially the strongest muscle group, the leg muscles. 2 the design allows a significantly greater amount of line to be recovered per stroke. 3 The gimbaled rod butt pivot, rest, is highly adjustable and can have more than pivot installed so the rod position can be adjusted to accommodate differences in where the fish is positioned. We will discuss each of these separately. There are several unique features of the Energy Efficient Fighting Chair that contribute to the efficiency of the chair. The first is using horizontal frame rails pivoting on wheels as the main structural element rather than the vertical post with a tube as in a conventional fixed chair. The frame rails provide a mounting for the footrest, the gimbals that support the rod end and provides a track for the moving seat that rolls along the rail. The chair supports the angler's weight and wheels so all the force from the angler's leg muscles can be used to apply force to the line. The footrest pivots to allow the foot to have the best angle with the leg. The seat is allowed to roll freely on the track. The whole aim of fighting a fish is to apply force to the rod, which transfers the force to the line. The gimbal that supports the rod can be fixed at virtually any point on the rail between the footrest and seat. The range of vertical adjustment of the pivot point is from almost at the deck level to almost the seating level. Generally, most prior gimbals had limited or no adjustment and were fixed to the seat. On the chair described in this application. More than one gimbal can be installed on the frame to accommodate different rods and anticipated escape paths for the fish. The gimbal position may be adjusted while fighting a fish. Reasons why adjustment of the gimbal position includes angler physiology, rod size and shape and whether the line will go vertical into the water or be horizontal. Several tracks with rollers that fit over an existing seat had been patented. These required an existing chair and were limited in motion by the size of the existing seat. These seats also required an expensive fixed chair and did not have the range of adjustment on gimbal position that the high efficiency chair has. U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,652 describes a fighting system using a seat mounted on a pivot that supplies motion to and from the gimbal by rotating about a pivot point near the deck. There is some ability to move the gimbal location but not as much as provided by the High Efficiency Chair. This chair also changes the elevation of the angler as it pivots to provide movement of the angler's torso. On a large stroke it may be difficult to return to the original position. The structure shown on this patent is far more massive and heavy than the High Efficiency Chair. The massive structure would limit portability far more than the high efficiency chair. An advantage that comes from the geometry of the Energy Efficient fighting chair is a rod stroke can be made through a greater angle than with a conventional fighting chair. This results in significantly greater line recovery per stroke than with conventional chairs. This feature would aid in bringing in fish rapidly since experience has shown it is easier to keep a fish moving than to start and stop with slow strokes. This would significantly reduce mortality of fish released in the increasing popular “catch and release” sportfishing since the major cause of death is exhaustion from a prolonged fight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1—An overall side view of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair

FIG. 2—A front view of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair

FIG. 3—Rear view of chair showing pivot and retainer wheels

FIG. 4—Top view of Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair

FIG. 5—Angler at beginning of power stroke on marlin near surface with 50-LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal mount is near footrest.

FIG. 6—Angler at the end of power stroke on marlin near surface with 50-LB straight butt tackle.

FIG. 7—Angler at the beginning of power stroke on giant tuna down deep with 50 LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal is located further from footrest.

FIG. 8—Angler in Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair at end of power stroke on giant tuna down deep with 50-LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal is located further from footrest.

ITEMS IN CHAIR DRAWINGS

22—Longitudinal Frame members for Fighting Chair

24—Frame and wheel supports

26—Frame Wheel mounts

32—Frame support Wheels

36—Chair pivot mount

38—Chair Pivot

40—Footrest pivot mount

42—Footrest

44—Gimbal #1

46—Gimbal #2

47—Gimbal support and pivot

48—Rolling seat assembly

50—Wheels for rolling seat assembly

52—Seat

54—Retainer wheels

56—Axles for seat wheels and retainer wheel

58—Angler

60—Fishing rod

62—Fishing line

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

FIG. 1 shows an overall side view of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair with its major details including wheels and the gimbals.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair and the spacing of the rails and how the gimbals are pivoted

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of chair showing pivot and retainer wheels. In this case the retainer is a large suction cup. A pivot pin going into a socket on the deck can also be used interchangeably.

FIG. 5 shows a view from above the chair

FIG. 54 shows an angler at beginning of power stroke on marlin near surface with 50-LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal mount is near footrest and the rod is about 45 degrees from vertical.

FIG. 6 shows an angler at the end of power stroke on marlin near surface with 50-LB straight butt tackle. Note that the rod is located about 45 back from vertical and about 100% more line recovered than if the rod could only be brought to vertical.

FIG. 7 Shows angler at the beginning of power stroke on giant tuna down deep with 50 LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal is located further from footrest.

FIG. 8 shows angler in Energy Efficient, Ergometric Fighting Chair at end of power stroke on giant tuna down deep with 50-LB straight butt tackle. Note gimbal is located further from footrest.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A fighting chair for boating big gamefish that is energy efficient and ergometric. The major advantages of the Energy Efficient Fighting Chair over prior fighting chairs is; 1 It allows better use of all major muscle groups in fighting a fish, especially the strongest muscle group, the leg muscles. 2 The design allows a significantly greater amount of line to be recovered per stroke; 3 The gimballed rod butt pivot, rest, is highly adjustable and can have more than pivot installed so the rod position can be adjusted to accommodate differences in where the fish is positioned; We will discuss each of these separately. There are several unique features of the Energy Efficient Fighting Chair that contribute to the efficiency of the chair. The first is using horizontal frame rails pivoting on wheels as the main structural element rather than the vertical post with a tube as in a conventional fixed chair. The frame rails provide a mounting for the footrest, the gimbals that support the rod end and provides a track for the sliding seat that rolls along the rail. The angler's weight is supported by the chair and wheels so all the force from the angler's leg muscles can be used to apply force to the line. The footrest pivots to allow the foot to have the best angle with the leg. The seat is allowed to roll freely on the track. The whole aim of fighting a fish is to apply force to the rod, which transfers the force to the line. The gimbal that supports the rod can be fixed at virtually any point on the rail between the footrest and seat. The range of vertical adjustment of the pivot point is from almost at the deck level to almost the seating level. Generally, most prior gimbals had limited or no adjustment and were fixed to the seat. More than one gimbal can be installed on the frame to accommodate different rods and anticipated escape paths for the fish. The gimbal position may be adjusted while fighting a fish. Reasons why adjustment of the gimbal position includes angler physiology, rod size and shape and whether the line will go vertical into the water or be horizontal. Several tracks with rollers that fit over an existing seat had been patented. These required an existing chair and were limited in motion by the size of the existing seat. These seats also required an expensive fixed chair and did not have the range of adjustment on gimbal position that the high efficiency chair has. U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,652 describes a fighting system using a seat mounted on a pivot that supplies motion to and from the gimbal by rotating about a pivot point near the deck. There is some ability to move the gimbal location but not as much as provided by the High Efficiency Chair. This chair also changes the elevation of the angler as it pivots to provide movement of the anglers torso. On a large stroke it may be difficult to return to the original position. The structure shown on this patent is far more massive and heavy than the High Efficiency Chair. The massive structure would limit portability far more than the high efficiency chair. An advantage that comes from the geometry of the Energy Efficient fighting chair is a rod stroke can be made through a greater angle than with a conventional fighting chair. This results in significantly greater line recovery per stroke than with conventional chairs. This feature would aid in bringing in fish rapidly since experience has shown it is easier to keep a fish moving than to start and stop with slow strokes. This would significantly reduce mortality of fish released in the increasing popular “catch and release” sportfishing since the major cause of death is exhaustion from a prolonged fight. 